The riverine forests in Sindh – a treasure trove of both environmental and economic benefits – can be a big source of income generation for Pakistan through good governance, former conservator, and ex-secretary Sindh Forests and Wildlife Department (SFWD) Aijaz Nizamani told WealthPK. The trees found in the riverine forests are useful in a variety of ways, including food and fodder, medicine, honey, industrial use, wildlife habitat, as well as shelter for seasonal migratory species, and mangroves are the special places where marine animals like to nest and hatch. Nizamani shared that in the riverine forests, 95% of the area consists of acacia species, as it is a fast-growing one. Giving an example, he said normally if a confer took 50 years to grow, acacia needed just five years. If not cut/attacked by any disease/or not in case of any natural happening, it survives for more than 50 years.

The acacia strip in Pakistan is 1,500 kilometres (stretching from the Sindh coast to the foothills of Margalla in Islamabad). It is like a native tree species in both Sindh and Punjab provinces. Furthermore, he said the Sindh government earned about 3.5 billion rupees last year by selling carbon credits from the mangroves at US$15 per ton. About 300,000 credits remained unsold. Two months ago, in the Singapore Carbon Exchange, they were sold to different companies at varying rates from US$30 to US$50 per ton. Private funding is very important to conserve the existing and increase the forest area. Now, investors in Sindh are eager to invest in the carbon credit market and the government should consider it seriously, he said. Talking to WealthPK about the importance of riverine forests in Pakistan, Executive Director (ED) Sindh-based Indus Development Organization Zain Daudpoto said the riverine forests in Sindh were a portal of both environmental safety and economic prosperity.

Forests not only generate revenue but are also a source of a lot of work opportunities. They are not only the habitats of wildlife, but are also the venue for seasonal migratory species, he said. “If the Forest Act is properly followed as it was designed from the very first, it is perfect and fruitful in its place. Its proper implementation is necessary. According to the Act, forests are considered a public property, while the official department is only the custodian. People have the right to monitor. If ordinary people know the value of forests and their economic benefits, obviously they will protect and invest in them,” Daudpoto said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)